FAREWELL.... ADIEU..... NOW WHAT?
Written: Jul 31 '00 (Updated Jan 27 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great personal service
Cons: Not anymore
The Bottom Line: THANKS FOR THE RIDE
|
|
|
| JAMES23's Full Review: Canadian Airlines |
It arrived in the mail the other day. A form letter from Canadian Airlines, advising me that due to the recent merger with Air Canada, my Canadian Plus points would now be transferred to the Aero Plan system.
I was thanked for my patronage, and asked if I already had an Aero plan card and if so to provide the number. I was further advised that if I did not, that I would soon automatically be enrolled in their program and my card sent out forthwith. There was some further information on certain bureaucratic restrictions that would exist during the transition period.
It finally sunk in, my preferred carrier of the two national airlines was no more. From now on I'd have to deal with an airline that I consider only slightly better than "Air Yak" in terms of reliability, customer service and general over all attitude.
A recent example of this was the announcement this week that Air Canada was canceling more than one hundred flights, and stranding up to 3,000 customers. The reason was that they had reached the maximum number of hours for flight crews and therefore had to cancel the flights. Now that is foresite and planning if ever I heard of it.
My love affair with Canadian Airlines began with one of the two regional carriers that later merged to become this airline. Years ago I was based in Newfoundland and the nature of my position meant that I had to fly off the "Rock" several times a year to attend training courses, teach same, and attend meetings etc.
There was only one military flight per week from St. Johns to Halifax, so it was often more convenient to fly commercially. The carrier of choice was Eastern Provincial Airlines, which with Canadian Pacific would later become Canadian Airlines. The reason we preferred this airline was that the majority of the pilots on the flights we took lived in Newfoundland.
The weather in this part of the world can be severe, especially in winter and several times the Air Canada flights out of Halifax would be canceled or turn back or divert in mid flight. The EPA pilots on the other hand wanted to get home as badly as we did. So if it was possible, without endangering the plane or passengers they'd get through despite the weather.
When EPA became Canadian, I stayed with them. The service I found was just a touch above that of their rival. Nothing I could really explain in tangible terms, but you just felt better. Perhaps the best example of this was an incident that happened at Christmas a few years back.
I had flown down to see my parents on Christmas Eve. My Father picked me up at the airport, and when I went to claim my bags, naturally they weren't there. Normally this is not a major problem, as I consider myself an experienced traveler. My carry on bag contained a change of clothes and my shaving kit etc.
It was Christmas however and guess where all my presents were. The customer service people at Canadian were sincerely apologetic, and promised to locate my stuff as soon as possible. Despite this I resigned myself to a bleak morning with no gifts to give to my family.
Christmas morning came and while I enjoyed opening my presents, I still felt guilty that I could not reciprocate. Everyone understood, but I still felt guilty. Around 10:00 am there was a knock on the door. I answered it and there was a rep from Canadian Airlines with my missing luggage.
They had spent the night locating it and forwarding it to me. The rep had personally volunteered to drop it of at my parent's place when he finished his shift, and prior to going home to enjoy his own Christmas. My holidays were salvaged and I have never forgotten that little incident.
I'm going to miss this airline. Something tells me I won't get the same attention from their successors.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
JAMES23
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
Reviews written: 450
Trusted by: 223 members
About Me:
I'm back
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.